The Birmingham Press

The Public celebrates its first two years

Two years after Sandwell Arts Trust took over the management of The Public, the West Bromwich venue is inviting people to join them for a Terrific Twos Tea Party on Saturday 27 August at 3pm.  People of all ages from two to eighty two are invited to join in the party celebrations – with two year olds receiving a special gift upon arrival!

The Public

The Public

Since 2009, The Public has had steadily increasing visitor numbers with a total visitor count of over 300,000 in the two years.  Those visitors have seen more than 300 music, comedy and theatre shows, and have taken part in a programme of regular events from Saturday Art Club, tea dancing and Zumba, to annual community celebrations, such as St Patrick’s Day and the Mayor’s Show.  The Public’s diverse exhibition programme has attracted visitors from across the country and has ranged from a sci-fi themed Dr Who exhibition to a collection of photographs of the Black Country by internationally acclaimed photographer Martin Parr with accompanying side project by Sandwell College students.

The Public is also successfully bringing business to Sandwell – there are now more than 100 people employed in the building through Sandwell Arts Trust and the building tenants, with regular conferences and room hires ranging from the My Little Pony annual exhibition to conferences attracting delegates from across Europe.  Over two years, conference organisers and room hirers have benefitted from the building’s flexible and versatile space and taken advantage of the unique and inspirational surroundings.

Linda Saunders, Managing Director of The Public, said, “We are delighted at the progress we’ve made in the last two years. At The Public we have striven to put people at the heart of what we do and to build our reputation and plans for the future on this. Our partners in the local community and further afield are invaluable and we want to take this opportunity to thank them for their support over the last two years.”

“Over the next few years we look forward to establishing a regional and national reputation as an interactive gallery firmly rooted in our local community and which supports new talent. Alongside this we plan to develop our programme of regular community celebrations, music, dance, comedy and theatre to attract a wide audience.”

The Terrific Twos Tea Party will take place on Saturday 27 August at 3pm.  Entry is free.

For more information about events at The Public visit thepublic.com or call 0121 533 7161.

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